Long Island Creek Site 5A

Stream Characteristics

Upstream and Downstream View of Site A
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Upstream View

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Downstream View


Overview

During the weekly monitoring of Long Island Creek - Site A, measurements were taken pertaining to the creek's width and depth so that discharge could be calculated. This was done every week in conjunction witht the other monitoring tests being performed with the exception of the week of June 12, 2012, during which discharge measurements were not obtained. On the week of June 26, 2012, additional measurements were taken for the bankfull width and stream reach. Surveys of the general in-stream characterisitics and a visual-biological factors were also conducted by the group members during the week of July 3, 2012.

Physical Measurements

The study area for Long Island Creek - Site A had a bankfull width of 42.4 ft and a stream reach of 508.8 ft. While discharge measurements were not obtained for the week of June 12, the width of the creek over the next two weeks was measured at 13.0 ft for both weeks. The average depth measured over those two weeks was 0.2 ft.
LIC5Aprofile.png

The stream flow decreased during the two weeks it was measured from 0.43 cfs to 0.39 cfs. This was thought to be due to the lack of rain over those two weeks, as well as the progressive increase in the temperatures over the monitoring period.
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In-Stream Characteristics

Within the study area the course of the creek was very straight for Site A. This produced 1 pool, which was located towards the upstream portion of the study area, and 2 riffles and runs which alternated the remainder of the area. ‍‍‍‍There was a recent stream bank restoration performed on the left bank (looking upstream), which utilized the placement of large rocks and interspersed willow plants to prevent additional errosion of the bank.‍‍‍‍ The small rocks and pebbles found in the riffles and runs were lightly embedded, while the heavier rocks used for the stream bank restoration that were directly on the bank were approximately halfway embedded. There was occasional woody and leaf debris found throughout the study area, however none was extensive and it was limited to small branches and leaves from the trees on the right bank (looking upstream). There was no suspended matter found in the water throughout the course of the monitoring, however there was a slight oily sheen to the waters surface in a few small locations along both banks. There was also a light fishy odor to the water throughout the monitoring period. The right bank was heavily vegetated with both trees and shrubs, and the slope was fairly steep. A large majority of the trees on the left bank also exhibited exposed roots and there was a clear loss of soil in these areas as well. The left bank was moderately vegetated, with a large portion of the vegetation being the willows that were placed during the restoration and very few trees. On the areas where the restoration was performed the bank was moderately sloped, and the soil was not exposed or erroded. On the areas of the left bank where there were only trees, there were exposed roots and a clear loss of soil due to erosion.


Watershed level stream characteristics data from all sites can be found here.


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